Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder - BBL Betting Preview, Tips and Odds (16/01/2026)

The Sydney Sixers will host the Sydney Thunder in the 37th match of this season’s Big Bash League. We have highlighted the latest odds and tips for this match and look at how this Sydney Smash could play out.

Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder Betting Tips and Predictions

Use our best betting tips in Australia for this match. We consider recent form, potential line-ups, head-to-head records, and much more when highlighting our best bets for this Sydney derby in the BBL. Read on for more.

David Warner for Top Sydney Thunder Batter

Warner is his team’s leading run-scorer this BBL season. The former Australian international is in solid form. He followed 130 against the Hobart Hurricanes with 67 not out and 82 versus the Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat, respectively. He is very familiar with conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground and is primed to do well for the Thunder in this Sydney Smash showdown. Pick Warner to be the visitors’ top run-scorer in this match at 3.50 with bet365 – these are worthwhile odds.

$3.50 with bet365

Jack Edwards for Top Sydney Sixers Bowler

Edwards is the top wicket-taker for the Sixers in this season of the Big Bash – and one of the best right-arm seamers on display as the tournament nears its business end. His last three bowling innings have yielded six wickets – averaging two wickets per match in this format is impressive. Changes of pace and pinpoint accuracy will be key again for Edwards. Back him to be the top Sixers wicket-taker in this fixture at 3.60 with bet365.

$3.60 with bet365

Sixers vs Thunder Odds

It is vital you get the best odds possible for your wager. Comparing prices with the best bookies for cricket betting and wagering on the top price is a faster way to get a higher return if your bet wins. We compared the Sydney Smash match odds with some of our top bookies to highlight how odds can differ.

The Sixers that are the favourites to win this match and are best priced at 1.56 with Unibet. If you think the visitors can beat the hosts, the Thunder are best priced at 2.40 with bet365.

Big Bash League

Sydney Cricket Ground

Sydney Sixers

Home: 1.58

vs.

16/01/2026
18:15

Sydney Thunder

Away: 2.40

Bookmaker	Home	Away
bet365	1.58	2.40
Unibet	1.56	2.40
Palmerbet	1.57	2.30

Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder Betting Preview

The Thunder recently ended a lengthy losing streak by beating the Melbourne Renegades and would like to pick up on some momentum against their arch rivals Sixers, who are looking to add a fourth consecutive victory to their BBL campaign.

The visiting team have a middle-order core of Sam Billings and Nic Maddinson to lean on, but will want more from openers Sam Konstas and Matthew Gilkes.

Australia’s Test stars are back in the Big Bash League after the Ashes series – and it’ll be interesting to see if Mitchell Starc and Steven Smith pair up in the Sixers XI. Smith returned against the Hurricanes recently, while we await Starc’s presence.

The Sydney Smash is usually a particularly entertaining match in the BBL – and a good opportunity to place bets on this flagship fixture in the domestic T20 calendar.

Team News

The Thunder will be without Shadab Khan for this match and the rest of the tournament. The Pakistan spinning all-rounder has left the tournament.

Whether fellow spinning all-rounder Chris Green will line up for the Thunder remains in the balance. He recently signed for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, which coincides with the BBL.

It’s likely Starc will feature in the Sixers’ XI. That’s a massive boost for the home team, as one of the most prolific left-arm fast bowlers in international cricket returns to domestic competition.

There will be plenty of eyes on Babar Azam. The Pakistan batsman’s last three innings for the Sixers have yielded just 25 runs. He won’t want to end up retired out – like the Renegades recently did to Mohammad Rizwan.

Predicted Line-ups:

Sixers: Babar Azam, Steven Smith, Josh Philippe (wicketkeeper), Moises Henriques (captain), Sam Curran, Lachlan Shaw, Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Mitchell Starc, Ben Manenti, Sean Abbott.

Thunder: Sam Konstas, Matthew Gilkes, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (captain, wicketkeeper), Nic Maddinson, Daniel Sams, David Willey, Chris Green, Tom Andrews, Ryan Hadley, Wes Agar..

Betting Statistics

Here are some important statistics to consider ahead of this key BBL fixture. These can help your betting choices.

The Sixers have won three of the last four completed Sydney Smash fixtures
The team to win the toss will likely choose to bowl first – chase, rather than set a target
The Sixers have three Big Bash titles to the Thunder’s one

Where to Bet on Sixers vs Thunder

Here are some of the best betting sites for betting on the BBL. We think bet365 is a great option for cricket betting on the Sydney Smash as their wide range of markets and competitive odds set them apart. The bet365 betting app and live streaming service is also excellent. That said, any in this top five list are worth consideration.